hospital
Pluralhospitals
Pluralhospitals
- 1A large building where doctors and nurses treat people who are very sick or badly hurt.
Like a big repair shop, but for people who are sick or hurt.
The ambulance took her straight to the hospital.
Hospitals near the coast filled up after the big storm.
UsageAmerican English: in the hospital. British English: in hospital.
Similarinfirmary
- 2A place built to give a home and long-term care to people, such as the poor or the elderly.
Like a care home that gives people a place to live and someone to look after them.
The old hospital still houses a dozen retired sailors.
Hundreds of years ago, the town hospital gave poor old people a home.
Similaralmshouse
Note
- 3A place where people could stay and sleep for a while, like an inn.
Note
Less common meaning
- 4Kind and welcoming toward guests and visitors.
At last the Ocean, that hospital friend to the wretched, opened her capacious arms to receive him; and he instantly resolved to accept her kind invitation.
1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom JonesHere, hospital means welcoming and generous, like a good host.Note
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
It came through Old French from a Latin word for "host" or "guest," and once meant a shelter or guesthouse.